Northern Shovelers in High Park

[Leslie]

By the time I got to Hawk Hill on this heavily overcast day threatening rain, there were no hawkwatchers so I chatted instead to the very pleasant surveyor updating co-ordinates.
There were 13 northern shovelers in various states of eclipse on Grenadier Pond, a double-crested cormorant, a pair of blackbirds at least one of which was a red-wing (epaulettes concealed and distinctive call--aren't these birds supposed to be gone by now?), plus the usual mallards (I didn't count them) and pair of mute swans.  Chickadees thronged the edges (a few seen, many more heard).

[Lloyd]

I'm glad you reported seeing a Red-wing Blackbird. My wife and I where in the Terra Cotta conservation area, not far from Toronto, last week observing fall colours when I clearly saw an adult male Red-wing fly by. I thought exactly like you, aren't they gone by now?

[BIGFRANK]

I always look forward to seeing thousands of Red-winged Blackbirds,a few Rusties mixed in and Brown Headed Cowbirds,move in flocks along the lakeshore at Rosetta McClain Raptor Watch,early in the mornings. I realized the local Red-winged Blackbirds are all gone from the reeds/weeds/grasses along the bluff in August. Id mentioned not seeing the thousands leave yet. They have now started moving enmass. A fellow Raptor Watcher,Don Peurumacky(spelled wrong sorry don) told me and correctly so,that northern Redwinged Blackbirds migrate now. That is why it may seem they are late,when infact they are just northern birds on the move.

[Lloyd]

Thanks, Frank. Makes sense to me. I hope to see you out at the park one of these days.

[Leslie]

Thanks, Frank, I learned something!
My other strange (to me) High Park sighting--4 male wood ducks in distinctive breeding plumage in the settling pond just north of Grenadier Pond on Friday aft.  Shouldn't they be in eclipse by now?
Shovelers were still present in Grenadier Pond.  Appeared to be the same flock.  I didn't count them.

[Reuven_M]

I think they are already past eclipse plumage.